Universities at a Crossroads: State Power, Academic Freedom, and the Future of Higher Education in Georgia

A far-reaching restructuring of higher education is unfolding in Georgia, raising urgent questions about university autonomy, academic freedom, access, and international engagement. This Global Public Seminar in Comparative and International Education brings together leading scholars and engaged public voices to examine the political logic behind the reform, its practical consequences for institutions, students, and staff, and its wider implications for democratic life. While grounded in the Georgian case, the discussion will resonate with audiences worldwide facing similar tensions between state control and institutional independence.